Absence of rail link causing 100 MT loss: CIL chief

The production loss resulting from lack of railway connectivity is equivalent to about one-fourth of the CIL’s total annual output. (Reuters)

SummaryRailways’ failure to provide connectivity to mines even after receiving Rs 300 crore from Coal India is causing annual production loss of 100 million tonne (MT) of coal, CIL chairman S Narsing Rao said

Railways’ failure to provide connectivity to mines even after receiving Rs 300 crore from Coal India is causing annual production loss of 100 million tonne (MT) of coal, CIL chairman S Narsing Rao said today.

The production loss resulting from lack of railway connectivity is equivalent to about one-fourth of the CIL’s total annual output.

“Coal India had taken initiative 10 years ago, going on and on. We have paid Rs 150 crore to the Railways for Jharkhand and Rs 150 crore for Ib Valley. Nobody is saying about that. They are not doing any charity. We are funding 100 per cent.

“I am in a position to produce coal, 100 MT (yearly). My plans are ready, clearances are there, projects are ready but I have no rail connectivity to transport,” he said.

CIL with an annual production of 435 MT has faced criticism from power producers and the industry for not meeting the fuel requirements.

Rao said as per agreement with the Railways both the projects are being built through 100 per cent funding by CIL but there was little progress on these.

“Both the consumers and the government should be asking them (Railways) why these railway tracks are not coming over when particularly Coal India is willing to even pay 100 per cent not even one rupee less,” he said.

Coal India accounts for 84 per cent of the domestic output. It has fallen short of production target by 11 MT.

CIL chief said rail project for North Karanpura coalfield, work on which had started in 1999, was scheduled for completion in 2005. But only half of the project would be completed by March, 2015. Likewise, the Ib Valley project in Odisha should have been completed in 2009, Rao said.